Francesca Khalifa’s Visit to Shanti Bhavan

Italian-Egyptian pianist Francesca Khalifa brought a wonderful spirit of music to our school during her recent visit. In 2014, she won the Ferrara International Piano Festival, receiving the award from renowned pianist and musicologist Paul Badura-Skoda.

Her concert on Monday evening, August 6, was an unforgettable night for the whole school community. Dr. George, Mrs. Mariam, and our staff and students were treated to a performance full of energy and emotion, with Francesca sharing the history behind each piece as she played. For many of our children, it was their first time hearing a live piano concert, which made the evening especially meaningful.

The visit also gave our young musicians the chance to learn directly from her. Over the weekend, Arasu, Shriya, and Prince each had a one-on-one lesson with Francesca, where she demonstrated technique, musical expression, and smarter ways to practice. Her patient, hands-on teaching left them with new ideas to explore on their own. Ravi, Priya, and Thamu also enjoyed spending time with her and learning from her visit.

Francesca’s concert, demonstrations, and lessons enriched our children both musically and personally, and encouraged them to approach music with more curiosity and confidence. We are grateful for the inspiration she brought and the lasting impression she has made on our young musicians.